Shock loader



nec, 23, 1924.

x E. wlTcoMBE SHOCK LOADER 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 h Filed Sept. 8, 1922 ci .3. mw w n uw No.

Dec, 23, 1924. r `1,520,165

' E. wlTcoMBE v SHOCK LOADER Filed sept. a, 1922 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented ee. 23, 41924.

was

ERNEST wrrcoivrzsn, or QUIMBY, Iowa.

SHOCK LOADER.

Application led September T0 all whom t lmay concern: f

Be it known that I, ERNEST l/Virooivren, `a citizen ot' the United States, and resident of Quimby, in the county of Cherokee and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shock Loaders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a. machine tor picking up shocks 01": grain, hay or similar materials from the ground and loading them into a wagon or other conveyance. It is adapted to be drawn by a team and delivers the shocks into a wagon which is drawn at one side by a separate team.

An object of my invention is to provide a device ot this character that will be relatively simple in construction and efficient in operation.

Another object is to provide a device in which the operating mechanism can be readily thrown into and out of use from the drivers seat.

A yfurther object is to provide means for raising the front end of the machine from the ground when it is desired to transport the same from one place to another without using the same.

Other objects will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation ot the machine in position for use.

Figure 2 is a detail view of the conveyors.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the machine.

Figure 4 is a separated view of the elements of the clutch mechanism for throwing the device into and out of use, parts being shown in section.

Figure 5 is a view of the ratchet wheel shown in Figure 4, but from the opposite side.

The main frame loi" the device is composed of side bars 1, upright posts 2 connected thereto, angularly extending members 3 bolted to the side bars 1 at their lower ends and extending upwardly and forwardly, side bars 4 with a floor 5 between them which connect the members 3 and the posts 2, and braces 6 which join the angular members 3 and the side bars 4. At the rear otJ this frame an auxiliary frame extends to one side and comprises an upwardly and outwardly extending bar 7 connected to one 8, 1922. Serial No. 586,931.

of the posts 2 and a similar bar 8 connected to the side bar 1 on that side of the machine. A floor 9 connects the two bars 7 and 8. A post 10 is connected to one side bar 1 at 11 and a brace 12 joins this post and the post 2. All ot these parts may be made ot wood or suitable material and the spaces between may be inclosed with sheets of tin or in any desired manner. The exact construction of the frame may also be modilied to meet varying conditions.

The whole trame is supported from an` axle 13 provided with two wheels 14 and 15 mounted to turn loosely on said axle. The front end of the frame is providedl with teeth 16 and when the device is in operative position these teeth slide on the `ground in the position shown in Figure 1 in ordery to slide under the shocks which it is desired to load.

When it is desired to transport the machine from one place to another without using it, this front end is raised from the ground by means of vauxiliary wheels 17 only one of which is. shown. The mechanism is duplicated at the other side of the ma.- chine. Each wheel may be swivelled to an arm 18 pivoted to the member 3 at 19, and normally held in one position by a spring 19. A cable 20 is fastened at 21 to the arm 18 and extends iirst forwardly and around a pulley 22 on the member 3 and then rearwardly where it is fastened at 23 to a bell crank or similar angular lever 24 pivoted to the frame of the machine. The other arm of the lever 24 is connected by a link 25 to a lever 26 pivoted at 27 to move over Aa segment 28 and having a handle 29 controlling the usual spring operated detent engaging the teeth on the segment. By moving the handle 29 from the Figure 1 position, the arms 18 will be rotated about their pivots and bring the wheels 17 to the ground and lift the frontend of the machine clear of the ground. The machine will then run on four wheels, the two main wheels 14 and 15 and the auxiliary wheels 17. The rear ends ot the side 'frames 1 are formed as shoes 30 which when the front end is raised come just out of contact with the ground but afford a support it at any time one is necessary.

An axle 31 is supported in the front ends of the side bars 1, an axle 32 in the front ends of the members 3, an axle 33 in the upper portions ot the posts 2, an axle 34 Aeo in the lower portions of the posts 2, and an axle 36 in the rear portion of the machine. These axles form supportsl for the various sprocket wheels hereinafter described.

Outside of the driving wheel 15 the main axle 13 carries a ratchet member 37 with which engage spring pressed pawls 38 carried by the wheel 15, whereby the axle is caused to turn with the wheel when the latter is moving forwardly but the wheel may rotate in the opposite direction when the machine backs without turning the axle. The Wheel 14 may be similarly arranged.

Inside the wheel 15 a sprocket wheel 39 is loosely mounted on the axle 13 buty adapted to be clutched thereto. A ratchet wheel 40 is loose on the shaft 13 and is located adjacent the sprocket wheel. This ratchet wheel has an arm 41 fastened thereto. A member 42 of the form shown in Figure 4 is pivoted to the sprocket wheel 39 at 43. At its other end it has an angular arm provided with a hole 44 which is engaged by the end of the arm 41 on the ratchet wheel 40. A spring 45 attached at one end to the sprocket wheel 39 and at its other end to the member 42, tends to draw the latter in one direction. Fastened to the member 42 is a dog 46 adapted to pass through a-iropening in the hub of the sprocket wheel and into a hole in the shaft 13 as shown in Figure 4. When the parts are in this position, the sprocket wheel 39 is clutched to the shaft 13 and revolves with it.

The ratchet wheel 40 is engaged by the bent end of a rod 47 when it is in one position as shown in Figure 4. This rod eX- tends rearwardly and is connected through bell crank or similar lever mechanism 43 to a rod 49 mounted in bearings 50 and terminating in a handle 51 adjacent the drivers seat 52.k

When the rod 47 is pushed forwardly out of engagement with the ratchet 40 the ratchet can then revolve with the shaft. A slight movement of the member 42 under the influence of the spring 45 will then take place, the engagement of the arm 41 with the member permitting this movement when the ratchet 40 is free on the shaft, and the dog 46 will move into engagement with the shaft as shown in Figure 4. The sprocket and shaft will then turn in unison,

When it is desired to disconnect the sprocket wheel 39 from the shaft, the rod 47 is moved rearwardly until it engages the ratchet wheel 39 and prevents it from turning with the shaft. A slight forward nioven ment of the shaft and sprocket wheel which is still clutched thereto will cause the arm 41 to swing the member 42 about its pivot 43 against the tension of the spring 45 and lift it out of the hole in the shaft, thereby releasing the sprocket wheel from the shaft. The sprocket wheel 39 and ratchet wheel 40 will then be held in denite relation to each other until the rod 47 is again operated to connect the mechanism.

Vi hen the sprocket wheel 39 is clutched to the shaft 13 and turns therewith the conveyor mechanism is operated as will now be setv forth. An endless sprocket chain 53 passes around the sprocket 39, a sprocket on vthe shaft 36, a sprocket 55 on the shaft 33 and a sprocket 56 on the shaft 34. lin this manner shafts 36, 34 and 33 are driven.

Sprockets 57 on the shaft 31 (only one of which is shown) and similar sprockets on the shaft 34 inside of the sprocket 56 carry sprocket chains 5S at the edges of a conveyor belt 59 which may -be of any desired type but is preferably provided with cross bars 60. The shocks or other material slide from the teeth 16 up on to this conveyor and are carried partly by the conveyor and partly by means to be described.

Sprockets 61 on the shaft 33 and sprock ets 62 on the shaft 32 have passing around them sprocket chains 63 which are connected by bars 64 arranged at suitable in* tervals. These bars are arranged in pairs as shown in Figure 2. Pivotally supported to one bar of each pair as shown at 65 is a channel shaped arm 66 which is extended far enough to engage the connecting hars 60 of the conveyor 59 when in lower position. There are three or four of these arms 66 on each bar 64 which is provided therewith. At their' lower ends they carry a scraper member 67. Fastened at 68 to the associated bar of each pair and correspond ing in number to the arms 66, are springs 69 which are attached to the members 66 at their outer ends. This attachment may be by soldering or other suitable means, or they may rest in engagement with sleeves 76 in the channel of each arm 66 through which sleeves and the sides of the arms 66 passes a rod 71 thus holding all parts in position. These springs permit a certain amount of yielding of the scraper arms 66 but not enough to allow the shocks or other material to escape thereunder.

The shocks are carried up by the conveyor 59 and by the engagement of the arms 66 therewith, both the conveyors moving together as will be evident from what has been stated, and are dropped upon a second conveyor at right angles to the conveyor 59 which will now be described.

The shaft 36 carries a gear 72 (see Figure 3) which meshes with a gear 73 on a shaft '73 suitably supported in the frame. This shaft is provided with sprocket wheels 74. A shaft 75 is supported in the upper ends of the bars 7 and 8 and is provided with sprocket wheels 76. Sprocket chains 77 pass around these sprocket wheels and are con nected by bars 78 provided with teeth 79 which act to carry the shocks up over the Hoor 9 and finally drop them into a conveyance A indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3.

Line guides or holders 8O are provided in suitable places so that the lines may not interfere with any of the moving parts. A tongue 8l is pivoted at 82 to the side bars 1 and at its front end has a member 88 which is connected to the breast strap or collar of the horses harness. At the rear end a member 84 is provided to which is attached a single tree. A line 87 passes through staples on the frame members 3 and 6 and across the machine as shown in Figure 3. Springs 88 connected at one end to the line and at the other end to the frame member 3 keep this line taut. The ends are attached to the horses bridles, and thus provide means for guiding the horses in either direction Which does not interfere with the moving parts or' the machine.

The operation of the device it is believed Will be clear from the above description. It is obvious that the driver can throw the device into and out of operation by the simple movement of one lever, and by a similar movement of a second lever can bring the auxiliary wheels 17 into operative position enabling the device to be transported readily from one position to another.

The machine will handle bundles, shocks or loose grain or hay and will convey it rapidly and efficiently from the ground to the Wagon or other carrier A.

bviously detailed changes maybe made in the structure and the materials used Without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is to be understood that the invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a loading device, conveyor mechanism comprising an endless belt like conveyor, slats extending transversely thereof, a second endless conveyor located above the First and spaced therefrom, a series of arms carried thereby and extending into proximity to the slats on the iirst conveyor, a corresponding` series of springs one end of which engages said arms to hold them in position, and a scraper bar carried near the ends of said arms.

2. In a loading device, conveyor mechanism comprising an endless belt like conveyor, a second conveyor located above the first and spaced therefrom, a series of arms mounted thereon and extending into proxi` mity to the first conveyor, a series of springs for holding said arms in desired position, and means `tor driving said conveyors in unison.

3. In a loading device, an endless conveyor comprising two sprocket chains, a series of pairs of bars connecting the same, arms pivoted to one bar of each pair and extending therefrom, springs attached to the other bar of each pair and engaging the arms to hold them in desired position but permit a limited amount of yielding, and a transverse bar connecting each set of arms near their ends.

4r. In a loading device, an endless conveyor comprising two sprocket chains, a series of pairs of bars connecting the same, arms pivoted to one bar of each pair and having a channel shaped portion, 'lat springs attached to the other arm of each pair and each having one end lying in the channel of the associated arm to hold it in desired position but permit a limited amount of movement, and a transverse bar connecting each set of arms near their ends.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

ERNEST WITCOMBE. 

